Puzzle assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a multi-level two or three dimensioned puzzle assembly applying multiple assembly techniques to join either a plurality of two-dimensional double or single sided pieces or a plurality of three-dimensional pieces. These pieces may be assembled in multiple levels, and joined in a mechanical or an electrical manner. In one embodiment, a plurality of two dimensional puzzle pieces may be assembled and viewed from at least two directions allowing a user to create alternative scenes. In another embodiment, a puzzle kit may include a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces, each with a different portion of a particular scene. As this kit is assembled, each section/slice of the scene is revealed and may be adaptively assembled or included and integrated into a game or contest context.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. App. No. 60/616,731filed Oct. 7, 2004, the contents of which are herein incorporated fullyby reference.

BACKGROUND

Many types of entertainment or toy puzzles have existed. Puzzles arecommon entertainment for people of all ages.

A 2-dimensional “picture puzzle” as is known in the art is a ‘scene’ anda selected design or color which is fragmented into a few or severalpieces that interlock to form and reform again the original picture,design, or color.

Conventional picture puzzles have been designed in “two dimensions”meaning that the scene, design or color is on one side only, and theback side left blank. These picture puzzles are typically used on atable or other flat surface to form a simple 2-dimensional scene.

In one conventional alterative to the above, kits have been createdincluding sets of two-dimensional picture puzzles, where the scene is inone side and the back left blank. In this conventional kit, after each2-dimensional assembly is constructed along a flat plain, each is“erected” vertically to interconnect at each corner forming a3-dimensional object with the scene visible on the outer surface of eachof the four walls. For example, this conventional kit is used withmultiple two-dimensional puzzles to form a house where the sides areflat panels and then interlock on the edges to stand up and form thehouse and possibly a roof structure. In this conventional kit, there isno scene on an opposing side of a puzzle piece.

For picture puzzles the scene or design generally provides picture cluesto enable the puzzle enthusiast to determine where the particular puzzlepiece belongs. In sum there is often an indication of a specificposition where only that piece of puzzle can fit, and if found, enablesthe puzzle to be successfully completed.

It is the degree of difficulty and visual engagement that keeps puzzleenthusiasts entertained. As a 2 dimensional puzzle is put together usersimagine the final picture or use the box display cover to see what goeswhere. Puzzles with one color are more difficult or “puzzling” as onlythe shapes determine the position and the player is given no visualclues other than the shape of the pieces.

There are three-dimensional mechanical puzzles that go together in aspecific arrangement such as the “rubix cube.” Generally these areformed of shapes that have a tricky or only a single way of forming thefinished puzzle and do not encompass pictures (colors only).

Puzzles generally require thought and trial and error to finding theright placement of the fragmented parts as finding specific articulationof the pieces is solving the puzzle based on a single (and non-changing)scene image.

Puzzles can be simple as in a child's puzzle with only a few pieces andgraduate into an abundant number of pieces whereby the puzzle is moredifficult to solve. Puzzles fascinate, entertain and challenge people.Puzzle enthusiasts are always looking for a new puzzle to solve and thiscreates an expanding market.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a puzzle assembly thatenables both a two and a three dimensional assembly.

Another optional and alternative objective of the present invention isto enable a two or three dimensional puzzle assembly to have a pluralityof formed pieces engagable with each other or with a supportingstructure or both using assembly methods including at least one of agravity based stacking method, a particular under/over-cut patternmethod, be formed from thin flexible magnets or rigid rare earth orceramic magnets allowing a magnetic assembly method, astatic-cling/surface tension design enabling a surface tension assemblymethod, an interlocking edge method, or an adaptable combination ofselections of all.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is toprovide single or multiple double-sided two-dimensional puzzleassemblies.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a puzzle assembly employing multiple three-dimensional pieceswith alternative assembly views on at least three surfaces allowing theformation of multiple puzzle views during and after assembly.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is togenerate interconnecting three-dimensional puzzle pieces providingmultiple pictures/scenes of a common theme sliced along multiplecross-sectional three-dimensional views.

Another optional and alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a puzzle assembly that enables ready adaptation to a variety ofcommercial environments, enabling the use of multiple 2D or 3D scenes inthe same kit, multiple 2D or 3D assembly capabilities within the sameassembly, or multiple 2D or 3D assembly levels within the same kit.

Additional objects and adaptations are envisioned in keeping with thescope of the art without departing from the teachings, spirit, andsuggestions provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially assembled view of one embodiment of the presentinvention employing six-sided cube images.

FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention enabling anover-cut/under-cut assembly method.

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showingmultiple three-dimensional puzzle pieces capable of assembly intomultiple layer images noted by the key.

FIG. 4 is another alternative embodiment of the present invention,showing a two-dimensional part of a three-dimensional puzzle assemblywhere the two-dimensional view is broken into multiple puzzle piecesalong specified cross-sectional cutting lines common through out theselected assembly.

FIG. 5 is an another alternative embodiment of the present inventionwherein a portion of the underlying two-dimensional scene includesadditional layer puzzle members (the square window, barrel, and winch,etc.) and the removal of non-matching other members (the door and bench)is adaptively enabled as described below.

FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment of the present inventionemploying portions of the two-dimensional assembly of the relatedfigures, a portion of three-dimensional assembly FIG. 5, and addsfurther three-dimensional elements such as the treasure chest, chair,figurehead, and individual sailor.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, selected embodiments of the presentinvention take a common two-dimensional picture puzzle to a previouslyunknown difficulty and entertainment level, thereby enhancing commercialvalue. It brings the picture form and three-dimensional form together ina new way.

In one embodiment, the scene of the puzzle is three-dimensional. Thepictures of a scene are sliced into cross-sections whereby the view isof the many dimensions of the object or scene we are viewing.

The puzzle can simply start as a front and back view of a scene. Thefront being on one side of the puzzle and the back view of the samescene on the other side. In this manner, for example, the left-side viewof the individual depicted in FIG. 6 is reflected in a correspondingright-side view of the individual on the opposing side of the puzzlepiece. As a consequence, while assembling the layer shown in FIG. 6, auser may apply the puzzle piece reversed and the individual will presenta right-side view to a top observer.

Additionally there can be more layers of the scene as if one took athree dimensional scene and sliced through the different dimensions ofthe scene. As shown in FIG. 3, individual puzzle members are preparedwith portions of an individual picture for each layer and view. As eachlayer is assembled, a complete view emerges. As pieces from the nextlayer are assembled, the complete view begins to change. Where such anassembly is viewed from a different view (e.g., the top view, etc.) asecond picture is visible and reacts similarly. As shown, at least threedifferent layers with three different picture views are presented. Byselecting how complete to make each layer, a user may self-select adesired final view (partially or fully assembled). Obviously, thisembodiment and others discussed herein may be manipulated and adapted togames, educational toys and in other ways common to the puzzle andassembly trade and art.

For example A (FIG. 5) is the front view of a pirate ship and can be thetop layer of the puzzle. Example B (FIG. 6) is the inside view of theship and can be the middle layer of the puzzle. Example C (FIG. 4) isthe back wall of the inside of the ship.

These can be merchandised or divided into separately sold boxes. Onekit-box would build example C first. Then example B on top as parts ofpuzzle B would be the same as Puzzle C in the background. One wouldbuild example A last on top.

For added difficulty/user-challenge all three puzzles can be fragmentedand sold together in one box. The pieces can be flat layers as in atraditional puzzle and build/layer on top of each other forming relatedbut varied scenes, or may themselves be three-dimensional piecesassemble-able in three-dimensional sections (see FIG. 1). The scenewould shape and change as more pieces are added making the puzzle come“alive” as you go and become three-dimensional.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, as noted above, the pieces can also bethree dimensional and interconnect in both horizontal directions as wellas interconnect with the layer above and below it in a three dimensionalcapacity. As an example, FIG. 1 represents differing views (front, top,side etc.) of a snowman and tree. As depicted, the snowman/tree aresectioned at the block interface region and the sectional views areshown on the appropriate surface. On the top of the blocks the top viewof the snowman/tree are presented. Thus, in a puzzle including multiplepieces forming a “puzzle grid” a user may form multiple scenes, eachtrue to position, by assembling multiple layers of blocks and portionsof layers.

The pieces can be a smooth form such as cubes (FIG. 1) where no help isgiven as to the shape of the interconnecting pieces. Alternatively, onecould build a three dimensional boat (discussed above) with all of theinterior components represented on blocks. Each cube would have sixviews of the scene, top, bottom and from all sides. As the puzzle isbuilt the many interior views and angles of a scene can be viewed andbuilt upon until final completion.

The pieces can also be shapes of the objects within the picture such asthree dimensional people, chairs, treasure etc. that interconnect withother pieces of the puzzle. The final puzzle would be a complete replicaof the ship with all of its interior parts represented.

An alternative creative embodiment is noted in FIG. 2, whereininterlocking/interconnecting members are positioned in multiple layers,with each layer interconnecting with the one below (at selected areas).Where a top layer projects in a cantilevered manner from a lower layer,a fixing/joining mechanism (mechanical, magnetic, etc.) serves toconnect the assembly and prevent unintended separation.

In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described or suggested herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt maynot be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction betweena wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surfacepositively engages the wooden part, and a bolt=s head and nut compressopposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening woodenparts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art as equivalent structures.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptationsmaybe effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A puzzle assembly comprising, at least a first and a second layer ofone of a two and a three-dimensional a puzzle unit; each said layerincluding a different version of a theme-linked scene; each said layerincluding a plurality of separate puzzle pieces, whereby said puzzleassembly may be assembled in a piece-by piece fashion allowing a user toselect separate puzzle pieces from selected layers to assemble alternatethemes depending upon an assembled layer.